On the 12th of August, the Daily Prophet was allowed on the grounds of Hogwarts on the day it was to play host to a most unusual wedding. The guest list had swelled and Harry didn't even know how many people were coming. All he knew was that there were an awful lot of tables and chairs set up for the outdoor reception, almost as many as there were in the Great Hall. Nearly Headless Nick and Moaning Myrtle were also invited (hard not to since they were already there and could go through the walls) and the Bloody Baron had agreed to keep his eye on Peeves the whole time, though he did little mischief outside the actual castle walls.

Harry peered out the window of his tower room at all the assembled people. "It looks like a mob out there."

"I think it's the whole bloody Wizarding world," said Ron. "Are you finished dressing, yet?"

"Yes. What do you think?" Harry spread his emerald green dress robes and straightened his bow tie.

Ron pressed his hands to his cheeks and fluttered his lashes. "Oh Harry! You're simply stunning!"

"Oh shut up!"

"You nervous?"

"Yes!"

"It will all be over soon. Then you can get on with the party."

"I'm worried about the joining spells. I don't know what that will do to us."

"Maybe nothing. It doesn't always happen. That's what Hermione says."

"And the chances of that?"

"For you? Let me think…"

Ginny poked her head in the door. "It's time!"

Harry's heart seized. "Where's a hippogriff when you need one?"

Ron grabbed Harry's arm. "Come along, lover boy. Your groom awaits."

* * *

Draco sat calmly in the near darkness of the dungeon. Hermione seemed more nervous than he did, though she was fussing so much he was starting to get edgy. "Hermione! For God sake, sit down!"

"I'm so nervous for you!" she said, thumping down on a settee.

"But your dress looks lovely."

She smiled and spread out the soft lilac skirts. "Doesn't it though? Thanks for helping me pick it out."

"What are girlfriends for?"

"Oh Draco. You look really good, too. Really handsome. I've always liked your hair. I'm sure Harry likes it that way, falling forward and all. And those robes-"

"Hermione, love. You're babbling."

She shot to her feet. "I can't help it! Why aren't you more nervous! Of course, I don't want you to be-"

"I am nervous. I simply wear it on the inside. I feel as if I am going to give birth to a skrewt."

Bill ducked into the dungeon room from the study. "Ready, Malfoy? I believe it is time for the noose."

He stood. "Now I'm nervous."

* * *

Harry and Ron walked across the lawn together to the strains of music, a quartet. Once the wedding was over the Weird Sisters would take over for the reception. Harry wanted to remember everything. He inhaled the fresh breeze off the lake with its slightly brackish scent. He smelled the many flowers adorning the wedding area, the inviting blue sky that on any other day might have tempted him onto his broom. He saw the many, many faces of those who came, surprised that he actually knew every one of them his eyes fell on. He spied his students and hoped they had permission from their parents to be here. There was Felicia Rosencrantz and her partner in crime Serenity Hudson; Malcolm Treeloft and his boyfriend Rupert Fenwick, and Jane Grittney. And from Draco's class there was Reggie Baskem, Timothy Twillum, and Frestus Florenz. He smiled as he passed them and they waved back.

He eyed Ron and out of the corner of his mouth asked, "Do you see Draco anywhere."

"He'll be here."

"But do you see him?"

"I've got my family stationed at all the exits."

"He can Apparate, you know."

"Not out of Hogwarts, he can't."

"Right." Even though Harry could, Draco couldn't. Not yet, anyway.

They reached the place where they were to turn to go up an aisle to a flower-covered canopy and that's when he caught sight of Draco.

Draco was resplendent in his emerald robes. Hermione was on his arm and he met Harry right at the "T" of the aisle and released her. "Hello, Mr. Potter."

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy."

"Ready?"

"As I told you before, Harry: Anytime, anywhere."

"How about after the reception?"

"Smashing."

Arm in arm they walked down the lawn to where Dumbledore awaited them. The old wizard smiled. "Seldom am I called upon to perform so pleasant a task. Indeed, a wedding such as this has not been performed in the Wizarding world for fifty years. But as you all know, this is an exceptional wedding joining two extraordinary individuals."

Dumbledore paused and glanced over at Hagrid who was bawling rather loudly. Professor Sprout reached up and clouted him in the ribs and he smothered his tears in a tablecloth-sized handkerchief.

"As I was saying, this is the joining of two extraordinary wizards whose abiding love for one another we would do well to emulate. In this ceremony, certain rituals must be observed, promises made, spells cast. Truly, they are of little consequence. For the true nature of the binding has already taken place. These two men have given themselves to each other. They have fought side by side, they have trusted, they have loved. The rest is just to satisfy our ancient need to ritualize what has already occurred. And so I must ask: Harry James Potter…" Harry perked up and turned to Draco. He squeezed Draco's hand. "Will you promise to bind yourself for life to your partner Draco, caring for him and loving him till death?"

"I will," answered Harry clearly, giving Draco's hand an extra squeeze as he said it.

Dumbledore nodded and smiled. He turned to Draco who looked up at him with wide eyes. "And will you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, promise to bind yourself for life to your partner Harry, caring for him and loving him till death?"

He turned his gray eyes on Harry. There was wonder in them as if he had just learned something amazing and couldn't wait to share. "I will."

Dumbledore reached forward and grasped their clasped hands. "I must have silence from the assembly," he said, and as quiet fell, he began murmuring the incantation.

Almost immediately Harry felt a strange sensation in his gut. It was akin to the place a Portkey would grab him but instead of a tug he felt an in-pouring of sensation. Was this what the joining felt like, or was it where the magic would be coming from? He chanced a look at Draco to see if he was feeling the same thing, when he was nearly thrown back with unbelievable power. Light shot from his hands, his hair, his eyes-he felt the light as if it were a smooth texture. It wasn't hot, it wasn't cold. It simply was and Harry, swimming in its wonderful sensation was blind and deaf to everything else. Except. The sense of someone else. As if some other presence were within him. It wasn't the same as when he shared time with Voldemort. This was entirely different and entirely welcomed. He knew who this was. It was Draco.

He looked. Draco was looking at him with an expression of ecstasy. So he felt it, too.

Harry became aware again of Dumbledore's voice. It had gotten louder and the feeling and the light were ebbing away. But even as it left, Harry could sense a warmth somewhere behind his heart that stayed, and he had a feeling it would always be there. He knew that was Draco's magic.

Dumbledore released them and stepped back. "All right, Harry, Draco?" They both nodded. He was more than all right. He was better than all right.

"They are joined!" declared Dumbledore and everyone cheered.

Harry pulled Draco in and kissed him and when he pulled back he whispered, "Can you feel it? Can you feel me?"

Draco's eyes were filled with awe and he nodded. He raised his hand to his heart. "It's you, isn't it?"

Harry couldn't keep from smiling. "Yes. Now that's what I call a wedding!"

* * *

Harry danced with Draco for almost all the dances, but he did have a few with Hermione as did Draco. The house elves outdid themselves for the feast and Mrs. Weasley cried and hugged both boys to her ample chest admonishing them both to visit.

Fred and George were in charge of fireworks and when the sun set the sky was filled with an entertaining array of animated incendiary displays.

Draco poured more mead into Harry's goblet. "Trying to get me drunk, Draco? I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm a sure thing, tonight."

"I have no doubt of that," said Draco into his ear. "But mead is traditional for a happy honeymoon. Honey wine, after all."

"Oh, I see." He lifted the goblet and drank the sweet, slightly effervescent wine.

"Have you tried any magic yet, Harry?"

"No. I'm afraid to in a crowd. Don't know what it will do."

"Me neither. Must try it later, though."

Harry waggled his brows at Draco. "Why? What did you have in mind?"

"Are you always thinking about sex?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Carry on, then, by all means."

He found Draco's thigh under the table and gave it a squeeze. Draco shouldered Harry. "Don't be naughty, Harry. Mrs. Weasley may scold us."

Ron stepped forward and tapped his knife on his goblet. "Oi! I've been told to make a speech for both groomsmen, that is for me and my wife. Can you all hear me?"

"More's the pity!" yelled someone.

"Shut up, Fred! Okay. Um. Everyone knows that Harry's been my best mate since our first year. And everyone knows we've been through a lot." Everyone cheered. "All right. Quiet it down. But not everyone knew that our friend Harry here wasn't into the girls." Someone hooted and whistled. Harry blushed. "Yeah, when I found that out I wasn't the best person to be around, I can tell you. But we got used to it. Then Harry tells me he's in love with Draco effing Malfoy!"

"Ronald Weasley!"

"I didn't say it, Mum. Anyway. You can imagine. So that took some getting used to as well. But really, you only have to see them together to know that it's a right fit. Don't know why or how it happened, but there you are." He turned to Harry and Draco and lifted his glass. "So here's to the new couple: Harry Potter and his bride Draco Malfoy."

Draco shot to his feet, but Harry held him back. Everyone laughed and raised their glasses.

"I'll get you, Weasley," he hissed. Ron grinned.

* * *

The band struck up one of Draco's "Motown" tunes and Harry danced with him.

"'Cause you make me feel…you make me feel…you make me feel like a nat-u-ral wo-man…"

Draco gave Harry a look. "You think that's funny?"

Harry smiled and held him closer. "Yes, I do."

They danced together for almost all the dances-making up for all that nonsense with the Ministry about the Yule Ball-but each also managed to dance a few with Hermione, Pansy, Ginny, Luna, and Padma and Pavarti. Harry even danced with Serenity Hudson and Felicia Rosencrantz, but gave Rosencrantz a stern look when she suggested he dance with Malcolm Treeloft or Rupert Fenwick.

The house elves outdid themselves for the feast and Mrs. Weasley cried and hugged both boys to her ample chest admonishing them both to visit.

Fred and George were in charge of fireworks and when the sun set, the sky was filled with an entertaining array of animated incendiary displays.

Draco poured more mead into Harry's goblet when they returned to their table. "Trying to get me drunk, Draco? I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm a sure thing, tonight."

"I have no doubt of that," said Draco into his ear. "But mead is traditional for a happy honeymoon. Honey wine, after all."

"Oh, I see." He lifted the goblet and drank the sweet, slightly effervescent wine.

"Have you tried any magic yet, Harry?"

"No. I'm afraid to in a crowd. Don't know what it will do."

"Me neither. Must try it later, though."

Harry waggled his brows at Draco. "Why? What did you have in mind?"

"Are you always thinking about sex?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Carry on, then, by all means."

He found Draco's thigh under the table and gave it a squeeze. Draco shouldered Harry. "Don't be naughty, Harry. Mrs. Weasley may scold us."

Ron stepped forward and tapped his knife on his goblet. "Oi! I've been told to make a speech for both groomsmen, that is, for me and my wife. Can you all hear me?"

"More's the pity!" yelled someone.

"Shut up, Fred! Okay. Um. Everyone knows that Harry's been my best mate since our first year. And everyone knows we've been through a lot."

The crowd cheered. Someone yelled "Take that, Voldemort!"

"All right. Quiet it down. But not everyone knew that our friend Harry here wasn't into the girls." A few hooted and whistled. Harry blushed. "Yeah, when I found that out I wasn't the best person to be around, I can tell you."

A few more hooted at that.

"But we got used to it because he's our Harry, after all. Then Harry tells me he's in love with Draco effing Malfoy!"

"Ronald Weasley!"

"I didn't say it, Mum. Anyway. You can imagine. So that took some getting used to as well. But really, you only have to see them together to know that it's a right fit. Don't know why or how it happened, but there you are. You might even call it the last pitch of dirt that finally covers sodding Voldemort's grave."

The crowd chanted, "Here, here!"

He turned to Harry and Draco and lifted his glass. "So here's to the new couple: Harry Potter and his bride Draco Malfoy."

Draco shot to his feet, but Harry held him back. Everyone laughed and raised their glasses.

"I'll get you, Weasley," he snarled. Ron grinned.

* * *

The hour was late and most of the guests had gone. Hermione was gathering up a very drunk Ron and saying her goodnights. Harry and Draco decided it was all right to retire to Harry's room for the night. They planned to head out on their holiday the next morning.

Before they went under the arch, Harry held Draco back. "Hey, Draco. Do you want to try to Apparate to my room?"

"But I can't. Only you and Dumbledore can get past Hogwart's defenses."

"I bet you can now."

"You mean-"

"Give it a go."

Draco took a breath, twisted and was gone in a snapping sound. Harry followed right after and was standing behind Draco in his tower room.

"Wow," said Draco, swaying slightly. "That's a lot of power."

"A little heady, isn't it?"

"No bloody wonder the Ministry is afraid of us."

"Yeah. But we're good guys, right?"

"Absolutely. No Dark stuff for us."

He fell silent and suddenly the room felt warmer. Draco was gazing at Harry and Harry was gazing back just as intently. "So," said Draco. "You're my husband now."

"Yeah. And you're my husband."

"So…" His hand trailed up Harry's chest. "What do you want to do now?"

Harry moved in until his body was up against Draco's. "I think we should do what all old married couples do. We should dance." He took Draco up and whirled him across the floor to the last strains of music drifting up from the open window. He leaned in and took Draco's lips gently, massaging them softly with his mouth. His tongue flowed over Draco's and Draco opened his mouth wide to welcome Harry in. Their lips fastened on one another's, kissing and taking until they couldn't breathe and had to draw away.

Draco whispered near Harry's ear, "But we are going to shag, aren't we?"

Harry crushed his cheek to Draco's and smiled. "I love you, Draco" said Harry. "You do make a lovely bride."

"Oh shut up."

Harry held him, swaying gently. "I got you a wedding present. I hope it's all right."

"Anything you get me will be perfect."

"Well…I hope you won't be angry. I mean…I hope it will be okay."

Draco pulled back to look at Harry. "So what is it?"

"It's a bit of property. If you don't want it-"

"Harry, WHAT IS IT?"

"Malfoy Manor."

Draco's face went slack and he stopped abruptly. Harry knew instantly it was a mistake. Maybe Draco had nightmares about the place. Maybe horrible Death Eater things happened there. Stupid.

Tears welled in Draco's eyes and he blinked at them but some clung to his lashes. "You bought Malfoy Manor? For me?"

"Yeah, but if you don't want it-"

"Don't want it?" He hugged Harry so hard Harry couldn't breathe. "You stupid, idiotic Gryffindor! Do you know how much I love you right now?"

"Really?" A tentative smile grew on Harry's face. "Then it was okay?"

"Of course!" Draco pulled back to look at him. Harry wiped away the tears from Draco's pale cheek with his thumb. "Would we live there?"

Harry's face fell slightly. Somehow, he didn't imagine that Draco would suggest that. But why wouldn't he? Harry certainly didn't want to live in such a place-though it was pretty magnificent. It reminded Harry too much of Lucius. But looking at the rapture on Draco's face Harry didn't have the heart to turn him down. "Um…sure. If you want to."

Draco's face reformed to a smirk. "I was only kidding, you git. One look at your face tells me you'd rather lick a basilisk. But we can have parties there and maybe I can spend some time there when you're busy."

Relieved, Harry sighed. "Whatever you like, Draco."

Draco's face sobered. "I also have a gift for you."

He left Harry's embrace for a moment to rummage behind some books in Harry's bookcase. He handed the bulky package to Harry. It was wrapped very plainly in brown paper and tied with twine. "I had to do a little research," he said, looking at the package as he explained, seeming not to want to look at Harry. "I tracked down most of the teachers still alive who taught at Hogwarts when your parents were here." Curious, Harry unwrapped it and found several worn notebooks and journals.

"What are these?"

"They belonged to your mother and father when they were students."

Harry's heart lurched. He ran his fingers over the top notebook and carefully opened the cover. There, in a delicate hand with many flourishes, was his mother's handwriting, his mother's words. He read a few lines which talked of the mundane topics she was studying, before he couldn't see it through the mist in his eyes. He closed the cover, held it to his chest, and closed his eyes. When he opened his lids again his gaze fell on a solemn Draco. Harry put the bundle aside and without a word, returned to Draco and hugged him. "Thank you," he whispered to his neck. Draco twined his arms around him and squeezed him in return.

Harry pulled away far enough to look him in the eye and kissed him. His hand snaked up to his neck and he poked a finger into Draco's bowtie and pulled it loose, and then he began unbuttoning his shirt. Draco, never taking his gaze from Harry's eyes, did the same for Harry, and soon they were silently and methodically, undressing the other. Harry pulled Draco's shirt out of his trousers and dragged it off before Draco peeled Harry's off his shoulders. But it seemed Draco couldn't resist and he leaned in and took the flesh of Harry's neck first between his sucking lips, and then his teeth. Harry moaned a sound from deep within and let his head loll back, giving Draco more access. The Slytherin's tongue lapped down the neck and slid across his chest before fastening on a nipple and gently suckled.

Harry's hands found Draco's hair and he felt the silky strands flow between his fingers. There was nothing like that feeling: Draco's lips on his skin and his soft hair in Harry's hands.

Draco pulled his mouth away and whispered into Harry's moist lips, "Speak Parseltongue to me."

Harry shivered at the words vibrating sensuously over his mouth. "I need a snake to look at."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "I have a snake you can look at."

He worked at his belt buckle, releasing it first before he unzipped his trousers and drew them down. Harry reached with trembling fingers and did the same for his own and soon both men were nude.

Harry looked down at Draco and, not too surprised it worked, said in the hissing language of snakes, You are mine and mine alone.

Draco writhed and rolled his eyes back. "Bed," he gasped, and kissing Harry, managed to get the both of them across the floor and over their discarded clothes to Harry's large four-poster.

They flopped down together, lips locked, hands fondling. They were unhurried as they touched and stroked one another, leisure in their moist explorations. They took turns giving each other little pleasures. Harry whispered Parseltongue to Draco, who seemed unnaturally aroused by it, and Draco returned the favor by licking some of Harry's particularly sensitive areas. When they both moved on to more serious ministrations, they soon climaxed together, and then, after a brief interval of soft sighs and whispered exchanges, started the process all over again.

By morning, Harry awoke a little achy and sore, but quite happy. He leaned over to his side table and grabbed his glasses just as Draco awoke and blinked at him. The Slytherin's face brightened with a smile. "Good morning, my husband," drawled Draco.

Harry stretched and then winced with a twinge from a fatigued muscle.

Draco's expression turned sheepish. "Sorry about that. No doubt you're sore. I must admit, I was a bit eager last night."

"I didn't mind. I was a bit busy myself."

"Is the Man Who Shagged ready to go on his honeymoon?"

Harry laughed and gathered Draco in for a hug. "Yes! I can't wait. You do speak French, don't you? I don't speak a word of it and I'll be quite lost."

"Of course I do. And I can't wait to show you the sights. Come on. We've got to pack, then there's a lot of complicated flooing. Or I suppose we could test our new powers and Apparate there, but I don't recommend it. Not on a first go."

"Me neither. Anyway, I'm curious about these floos we'd be going through. I'm perfectly happy to let you lead me."

"Big Bad Death Eater Malfoy, you mean? You trust him?"

"With my life. I've already trusted him with heart and he's come through with flying colours."

Draco stopped at the wardrobe and looked back at Harry. He stared at him so long Harry began to wonder, and asked, "Anything wrong?"

"No, I'm just…just thinking about how far we've come together, from mortal enemies despising one another to the most devoted of lovers."

"Yes. It's quite unbelievable when you think about it."

Draco came back to the bed and flopped down on the edge. "Do you suppose fifty years or so from now they'll be writing sagas about us?"

"Who'd want to write about us?"

"Oh Harry. You are so na?ve. This is one of the great hero sagas of all time. Good versus evil. Evil turned to good. It's a great drama and a love story. It's operatic in scope."

"You mean they'll write an opera about us?"

"I shouldn't be surprised. Will my character be a tenor, I wonder? But villains are usually baritones."

"I don't like opera."

Draco glared at him. "You are in desperate need of culture, Mr. Potter. Our next holiday should be to Venice. I'll load you with culture there."

Harry chuckled and shook his head. "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where we go."

Draco concentrated a gaze at him again. "You don't, do you?"

"Nope."

"Then let's go." He jumped up again and threw open the wardrobe. "You'll love Provence. The colours of the trees, the sky, the dirt roads. You can almost smell the colours they are all so vivid. In fact, you can taste it in the wines."

Harry lay back against the pillows and clasped his hands to the back of his head, merely watching Draco choose outfits for the both of them while he nattered on. Contentment? Absolutely. For the first time in a very long time, Harry Potter looked forward to every moment ahead of him.


The End


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"Bachelor Party"

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